Landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) face special trade and development challenges, arising from their lack of territorial access to the sea and geographical remoteness from international markets.
Exports and imports of LLDCs are required to transit through at least one neighboring State, and often have to change the mode of transport frequently.
This substantially increases the cost of trade for LLDCs and is a key factor in preventing their effective integration into the global trading system.
The geographical challenges of LLDCs are often compounded by weak transit-transport infrastructure, inefficient customs operations, and over-dependence on the experts of primary commodities.